Washing apparatus with cushion and drainage facilities



1953 JOANA D'ARC YOK HENG TCHEONG ,512

WASHING APPARATUS WITH CUSHION AND DRAINAGE FACILITIES Filed June 28, 1951 W Fig. 5

Joana a 'Arc Yo'k Hang Tc/Ieong IN VEN TOR.

Patented Nov. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WASHING APPARATUS WITH CUSHION AND DRAINAGE FACILITIES 2 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to portable multipurpose appliance or apparatus which lends itself to safe and satisfactory use on and in association with a bed mattress or the like, the same having pneumatic cushion means, a water receiving and confining receptacle and handy drainage facilities.

More specifically, the invention has to do with an inflatable and defiatable pneumatic tube of general C-shaped form which is superimposed on a complemental rubber or equivalent disk, the latter and the tube providing a combination receptacle and cushion and defining a side outlet for the water or other fluid used in the shampooing, washing or other procedure. A flexible liquidproof apron registers with the outlet and is adapted to drape down over the mattress and side of the bed where it empties into a tub, large basin or other overflow and trapping receptacle.

The above construction, like similar prior art adaptations is practical and useful for bedroom confinement cases and is helpful and assistive to invalids, patients in bed and is highly practical in assisting mothers in bathing and shampooing infants while the infant is lying in bed.

It is an object of the invention to structural ly, functionally and otherwise improve upon similarly constructed prior art washing and shampooing appliances and, in so doing, to provide a special structural adaptation in which manufacturers, retailers and users will find their respective requirements and needs well met, aptly contained, and readily and effectually available.

Another object of the invention, generally speaking, is to improve upon and reduce the number of elements entering into the over-all combination, thereby not only increasing the efficiency of the structure as a whole, but also rendering it less costly to manufacture and to otherwise greatly simplify factors of assembling and sale.

In carrying out the principles of the invention, two essential components are utilized and effectively united. One unit is characterized by a sheet of flexible rubber of appropriate grade and strength, this being of a pattern characterized at one end by a disk forming a base of the water retaining receptacle and there being, in addition, a broad apron joined to one peripheral edge portion of the disk and said apron being expressly designed to constitute a practical drainage trough which drapes with requisite nicety over the edge of the bed and drops into the collecting pan. The other component is a substantially O-shaped inflatable and defiatable cushion or rim which is fastened to the disk and the two together provide the liquid receiving and temporary confining receptacle. The open side of the cushion registers with the apron 0r trough and it is stabilized through the medium of appropriate stays or braces. The cushion is further unique in that it may be constructed from available inner tubes, such a are used in the present day automobile tires and the like. However, and in this connection, the invention lends itself to production not only from inner tubes, but from so-called swimming rings of rubber, plastic and the like, a will be obvious.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings where in like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing a fragmentary portion of a bed, couch or the like, and showing the complete apparatus and the manner in which it .is constructed and the manner in which it is used, in the instant showing, for shampooing an infants head.

Figure 2 is a group or exploded perspective view showing the primary components or units which go to make up the over-all apparatus.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-section taken approximately in the plane of the line 33 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows but showing the apron attached to the tube or cushion.

Figure lis a fragmentary horizontal section on an enlarged scale taken on a horizontal line 4-4 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a view in section and elevation of one of the details.

Referring now to the drawings and to the assemblage shown in Figure l, the mother is denoted at A,'the infant at B, the mattress equipped or equivalent bed or other structure at C. The letter D denotes a pail or other container with bathing or head washing water therein ready to be brought into play. The letter E designates a washpan, a tub or other handy receptacle which is used for trapping the soapy or other Water, in an obvious manner. It is understood, of course, that the device or apparatus is used for all sorts of miscellaneous washing, medicating and even operating purposes. In fact,

similar prior art devices have often been referred to as surgical operating appliances. For the sake of the instant invention it is to be assumed that the purpose illustrated in the drawing is exemplary of an adequate and satisfactory use of the same.

The apparatus or appliance itself is essentially constructed of rubber, pliable plastic or the like. The cushion which is inflatable and deflatable and therefore a pneumatic element is denoted by the numeral 6. This may be manufactured originally in general c-shaped form; or, it may be made from an inner tube, swimming ring or the like, such as shown in the drawings. Here, the end portions 8 and [9 of the inner tube are cut oil and separated to provide a space therebetween. The cut ends I2 are sealed together by a vulcanized rubber patch or the like as at M in Figure 4 thus closing the respective ends of the tube. It is desirable to maintain these ends in permanent or definitely spaced relationship and this is done by employing arcuate plas tic or equivalent stays or braces l6 and M as shown. Each stay or brace is of the construction shown in Figure and has headed or suitably capped ends 20-20 and these ends are anchored and secured to the inner and outer peripheral edge portions of the split pneumatic tube by vulcanized rubber or equivalent patches 22 as shown in Figure 2. The numeral 24 designates an ordinary inflation valve. It follows therefore, that the cushion is generally C-shaped with spaced ends joined by stays of rigid material and that said tube is in effect, a pillow, cushion and also constitutes a rim for the receiver or receptacle as shown in Figure 1. The receptacle is actually formed by way of a disk-shaped head 26 of the one-piece sheet rubber unit 28. The marginal edge of the surface of the disk is provided with adhesive material 30 and by pressing said surface against the coacting surface of the tube, the two parts together, join and form a combination receptacle and cushion which has emptying means or opening means on one side, as denoted at 32 in Figure 1. The apron or skirt portion of the unit 28 is denoted at 34 and this is of a length and shape that its free end portion is allowed to drape over the mattress on the bed and hang down into the receiving pan E. The longitudinal edge portions are folded on the fold lines 35 to provide complemental flaps 3il33 and the marginal edges of the flaps doubled upon themselves and secured by suitable adhesive means for reinforcing the edge as at 40. The adhesive surfaces 42 as shown in Figure 2 are secured to the coacting tube patches 2222 whereby to thus form a trough-like mouth or entrance for the apron. The apron is a satisfactory protector shield and also constitutes a drainage trough for use in the manner shown.

Briefly summarized the subject matter comprehended herein is susceptible of being produced in a satisfactory and practical manner through the instrumentality of the simple cutout blank 28 appearing at the right in Figure 2 and the complemental cushion component 6 to the left in the same figure. The blank is unique in that when stamped or otherwise cut to desired shape it provides a discoidal receptacle base at one end and an elongate rectangular flap or apron at the other end which, in practice, makes for proper drainage as depicted in Figure l. The cushion lends itself to production from readily available plastic or equivalent swimming rings of horse-shoe shape, as they are sometimes made, or of endless form with ends cut and patched as shown in the drawings. Interconnecting the thus patched ends I l-l4 and bracing the same by interconnecting stays l6 and I8 an apt unit is provided which is then superimposed on and adhesively attached by gluing or otherwise and making provisions whereby the inturned adhesive coated flap-ends 42 are brought up over and secured to the top convex surfaces of the cushion on opposite sides of the braced discharge opening or emptying means 32.

The apparatus, as is understood, is not always to be made of rubber inasmuch as vinyl plastics will be suitable, as will be evident to the experienced and practiced eye.

While the description tends to stress the use of an inner tube, that is, a pneumatic tire tube, it will be clear and understood that so-called swimming rings and tubes (either of suitable rubber or appropriate commercial plastics or equivalent water-proof sheet materials) may be used often to greater advantage and the utmost of satisfaction by manufacturers and users.

Generically then, the cushion shall be then in the nature of an elastic inflatable and defiatable tube whether an inner tube or a more economical swimming ring. The latter may be of an endless annular type out and patched and made up as shown to the left in Figure 2 or may be molded in C-shaped or horseshoe shaped form to start with. In connection with these aspects of the matter the factors of simplicity, ease of production on a mass production basis, and economy to all concerned are of prominent significance, as is evident.

Then, too, while the preceding coverage emphasizes the primary function to be for shampooing, bathing and the like, it is to be stressed that the fact that the apparatus is aptly usable for surgical operating needs as well as for gynaecology treatments and similar sanitary and equivalent needs, is important.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice provided no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A multipurpose appliance adapted to be placed on a bed or similar relatively stationary support and suitable for use in connection with certain surgical and analogous requirements or for use for miscellaneous bathing, washing and shampooing purposes and comprising two complemental parts; namely, a first part in the form of a cut-out blank of flexible water-proof sheet material, said blank provided at one end with a disk-shaped base forming member and the latter being provided on one marginal side with an elongate substantially rectangular drainage apron, the longitudinal marginal edge portions of said apron being inturned to provide edging flaps, the flaps at their ends adjacent to the marginal portion of said disk-shaped member being tangential to said member, an inflatable and deflatable substantially C-shaped tube superimposed on and adhesively secured to the marginal portion of said base member, said C-shaped member having free portions which are spaced apart to provide a discharge opening, said opening being in alignment with the median portion of said apron, stays interconnecting said spaced ends, said stays in conjunction with the tube, when the latter is inflated, serving to minimize undue rumpling of the apron, the inner end portions of the aforementioned flaps being superimposed against and secured to adjacent upper surfaces of said tube and coasting with the latter in forming a trough-like mouth for said apron.

2. A multipurpose appliance for use on a bed or elsewhere and especially helpful in giving an infant a bath or shampooing the infants head without unduly Wetting the bed clothing comprising a two-part receptacle, one part being a flexible sheet of water-proof material embodying a flat disk-shaped member provided on one marginal side with an elongated flexible generally rectangular extension usable as a drainage apron, an inflatable and defiatable tube superimposed on and attached to said disk-shaped memher and cooperating therewith in defining a receiver, and, in addition, a cushion for the head and body part of the infant, said tube C-shaped in plan and having spaced ends, and rigid spaced apart stays interconnecting said spaced ends.

JOANA DARC YOK HENG TCHEONG.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 652,839 Campbell July 3, 1900 736,089 Gray Aug. 11, 1903 743,486 Gilmore Nov. 10, 1903 749,180 Galloway Jan. 12, 1904 759,084 Eggers et a1. May 3, 1904 762,737 Meinecke et al. June 14, 1904 763,304 Meinecke et a1. June 21, 1904 807,366 Eggers Dec. 12, 1905 1,021,891 Robertson Apr. 2, 1912 2,471,302 Boward May 24, 1949 

